Wow...this is a very eloquent piece regarding 9/11 +2
LILEKS (James) The Bleat on 9/11
I don't agree with every IMPLICATION made in the piece – specifically that it is bad to question why such attacks occurred, including what part, if any, our own collective actions played in the lead-up to the attacks. For my part, the first weeks after the attacks, I hardly focused on any of that –I mean what was the point? We were all busy trying to recoup and regain out mental strength, absorbing the loss and the outrage of these purely evil actions (I promise I don’t say evil much – those attacks fit the bill for me, though – I can’t rationalize that – just how I feel).
But eventually, people ask questions. It’s normal and Americans are allowed to do it. As far as 9/11 goes, I really do feel there was absolutely no justification for the attacks. None. No "but"s. There were certainly reasons - there are always reasons for things. But no excuse for massive civilian death, especially in a time when we have not made any declaration or action of war. None. Even now, when there is war, an attack clearly directed at the general, unarmed public is one of the most reprehensible things I can think of. (To be fair, that includes our own actions in the past, even though we felt it to be necessary. As far as I know, we have not deliberately, intentionally targeted a purely civilian target since the 1970s.)
I think its right that at least some Americans question our behavior (collective or individual) if it's warranted. For instance regarding the fallback quote of pseudo-patriotism, "My country, right or wrong," consider the following two quotes:
1) 'My country, right or wrong' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying 'My mother, drunk or sober.' "
--Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936), British author. The Defendant, "Defence of Patriotism," (1901).
The Columbia World of Quotations. 1996. http://www.bartleby.com/66/4/12204.html
and
2) "My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right."
-- Senator CARL SCHURZ, remarks in the Senate, February 29, 1872, apparently in direct response to the statement "My country right or wrong" by a fellow senator from Wisconsin.
Respectfully Quoted: A Dictionary of Quotations. 1989. http://www.bartleby.com/73/1641.html
It is the business of Americans who disagree with another American’s views to openly, vocally state their opposition. Not to beat them up or shout them down.
Specifically, if some people want to view the 9/11 attacks - or (God forbid!) a new attack on us - as the result of our policies or our collective behavior, that is totally fine. I personally believe in the case of 9/11, such a view is completely simplistic and – oh yeah - tactless.
However, Mr. Lileks says of such people " the same people were crowding the message boards of internet sites on the afternoon of the attacks, eager to blame everyone but the hijackers. They hate this nation. In their hearts, they hate humanity. "
I'd say that's a bit simplistic, too. Well I imagine there are some people like that. For some people, no matter what happens, there is a knee-jerk reaction to place every event in the context of your own personal perceived wrongs in the world. And, by the way, there are knee-jerkers of all stripes:
(As in the infamous Rev. Jerry Falwell quote: God Gave U.S. 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says, Washington Post Friday, September 14, 2001; Page C03
'Then Falwell broadened his blast to include the federal courts and others who he said were "throwing God out of the public square." He added: "The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.' " '
Note: He did subsequently apologize.)
So, a long-winded comment about one point of disagreement in a beautifully written piece.
Friday, September 12, 2003
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
O my gawd it just gets better
CNN.com - 12-year-old settles music swap lawsuit - Sep. 10, 2003:
"A day after being sued for illegally sharing music files through the Internet, a 12-year-old girl has settled with the Recording Industry Association of America. {boldface mine}
She's the first of 261 defendants to settle their lawsuits with the association.
Brianna LaHara agreed Tuesday to pay $2,000, or about $2 per song she allegedly shared.
'I am sorry for what I have done,' LaHara said. 'I love music and don't want to hurt the artists I love.'
The suit claimed LaHara had been offering more than 1,000 songs on the Internet, using the Kazaa file-sharing service.
The RIAA said it was pleased with the settlement. There are 260 cases still pending.
'We're trying to send a strong message that you are not anonymous when you participate in peer-to-peer file-sharing and that the illegal distribution of copyrighted music has consequences,' said Mitch Bainwol, RIAA chairman and chief executive officer. 'And as this case illustrates, parents need to be aware of what their children are doing on their computers.' "
" '...And your little dog too!,' said the RIAA, spinning itself in its long black cape and disappearing in a puff of green smoke, "Aaaaah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!' " {last statement mine}
Hey do I have to keep doing this {boldface mine} and {sarchasm mine} stuff? Can it just be assumed this is satirical, or will I get sued?
"A day after being sued for illegally sharing music files through the Internet, a 12-year-old girl has settled with the Recording Industry Association of America. {boldface mine}
She's the first of 261 defendants to settle their lawsuits with the association.
Brianna LaHara agreed Tuesday to pay $2,000, or about $2 per song she allegedly shared.
'I am sorry for what I have done,' LaHara said. 'I love music and don't want to hurt the artists I love.'
The suit claimed LaHara had been offering more than 1,000 songs on the Internet, using the Kazaa file-sharing service.
The RIAA said it was pleased with the settlement. There are 260 cases still pending.
'We're trying to send a strong message that you are not anonymous when you participate in peer-to-peer file-sharing and that the illegal distribution of copyrighted music has consequences,' said Mitch Bainwol, RIAA chairman and chief executive officer. 'And as this case illustrates, parents need to be aware of what their children are doing on their computers.' "
" '...And your little dog too!,' said the RIAA, spinning itself in its long black cape and disappearing in a puff of green smoke, "Aaaaah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!' " {last statement mine}
Hey do I have to keep doing this {boldface mine} and {sarchasm mine} stuff? Can it just be assumed this is satirical, or will I get sued?
Nothing makes me want to buy CDs like CD companies suing granddads!
I'm sorry, but is this good publicity?
CNN.com - Who's targeted by music swapping suits? - Sep. 9, 2003:
"Durwood Pickle, 71, of Richardson, Texas, said his teenage grandchildren downloaded music onto his computer during their visits to his home. He said his grown son had explained the situation in an earlier e-mail to the recording industry association.
'I didn't do it, and I don't feel like I'm responsible,' Pickle said in an interview. 'It's been stopped now, I guarantee you that.'
Pickle, who was unaware he was being sued until contacted by The Associated Press, said he rarely uses the computer in his home.
'I'm not a computer-type person,' Pickle said. 'They come in and get on the computer. How do I get out of this?' "
On the other hand, some people apparently were a tad out of touch with reality:
"Another defendant, L.S. {abbreviations mine} of New York, said her Internet provider warned her two months ago that record industry lawyers had asked for her name and address, but she said she had no idea she might be sued. She acknowledged downloading 'lots' of music over file-sharing networks.
'This is ridiculous,' said L.S., 26. 'I didn't understand it was illegal.' {Boldface mine}
She said the music industry shouldn't have the right to sue.
'It's wrong on their part,' she said. "
CNN.com - Who's targeted by music swapping suits? - Sep. 9, 2003:
"Durwood Pickle, 71, of Richardson, Texas, said his teenage grandchildren downloaded music onto his computer during their visits to his home. He said his grown son had explained the situation in an earlier e-mail to the recording industry association.
'I didn't do it, and I don't feel like I'm responsible,' Pickle said in an interview. 'It's been stopped now, I guarantee you that.'
Pickle, who was unaware he was being sued until contacted by The Associated Press, said he rarely uses the computer in his home.
'I'm not a computer-type person,' Pickle said. 'They come in and get on the computer. How do I get out of this?' "
On the other hand, some people apparently were a tad out of touch with reality:
"Another defendant, L.S. {abbreviations mine} of New York, said her Internet provider warned her two months ago that record industry lawyers had asked for her name and address, but she said she had no idea she might be sued. She acknowledged downloading 'lots' of music over file-sharing networks.
'This is ridiculous,' said L.S., 26. 'I didn't understand it was illegal.' {Boldface mine}
She said the music industry shouldn't have the right to sue.
'It's wrong on their part,' she said. "
Is being hung over at the airport red-flaggable?
Air passenger codes could block thousands from flights - Sep. 9, 2003
Hmmm.... I know my luck and I'll be coded yellow and miss my connections. In theory this makes sense, aside from a variety of constitutional issues. But who decides what the Transportation Safety Administraton (TSA) should call a "red-flagged" passenger. Is it just people carrying machine guns or also guys who have ever hired a prostitute? How about people who mooned the dean in college or peed on the sidewalk? Not that I have necessarily done these things.
I mean, I obviously would rather not sit next to an "axe-murderer" but the whole screening concept does make me suspicious. And uncomfortable. Guess we should all be aware of what is coming down the road.
As usual, who makes the decisions and who watches over them.
Nothing new there, I guess.
Hmmm.... I know my luck and I'll be coded yellow and miss my connections. In theory this makes sense, aside from a variety of constitutional issues. But who decides what the Transportation Safety Administraton (TSA) should call a "red-flagged" passenger. Is it just people carrying machine guns or also guys who have ever hired a prostitute? How about people who mooned the dean in college or peed on the sidewalk? Not that I have necessarily done these things.
I mean, I obviously would rather not sit next to an "axe-murderer" but the whole screening concept does make me suspicious. And uncomfortable. Guess we should all be aware of what is coming down the road.
As usual, who makes the decisions and who watches over them.
Nothing new there, I guess.
Monday, September 08, 2003
RIAA atacks!
Well, there it is:
CNN.com - 261 music file swappers sued; amnesty program unveiled - Sep. 8, 2003
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is officially in the running to be elected the most despised organization in the United States. Though probably they’ll just serve as vice-despised organization to Al-Quaeda.
I mean don’t get me wrong – they are totally within their rights. And fun or liberating as it may be, copying and distributing music, like software, is technically illegal. However, I have never witnessed a corporate organization so willing to alienate so many of the very people it should be BEGGING to buy music. As with examples in other public arenas during the past year, the RIAA has, while being technically correct, taken so many political mis-steps that it is surprising anyone wants to purchase any music at all.
When an average DVD with a full-length feature and often hours and hours of extra content costs just a few dollars more than a single CD of unknown quality with a measly 60-70 minutes of content, it should be obvious that the music industry is charging hugely inflated prices for potential CD-clock construction projects.
At least part of the industry is doing something halfway correct… They’re lowering their prices! Hard to believe, but maybe someone in the industry grew themselves a brain. Or maybe they needed to get cheap music after emptying out all their ill-gotten Kazaa music .
CNN.com - 261 music file swappers sued; amnesty program unveiled - Sep. 8, 2003
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is officially in the running to be elected the most despised organization in the United States. Though probably they’ll just serve as vice-despised organization to Al-Quaeda.
I mean don’t get me wrong – they are totally within their rights. And fun or liberating as it may be, copying and distributing music, like software, is technically illegal. However, I have never witnessed a corporate organization so willing to alienate so many of the very people it should be BEGGING to buy music. As with examples in other public arenas during the past year, the RIAA has, while being technically correct, taken so many political mis-steps that it is surprising anyone wants to purchase any music at all.
When an average DVD with a full-length feature and often hours and hours of extra content costs just a few dollars more than a single CD of unknown quality with a measly 60-70 minutes of content, it should be obvious that the music industry is charging hugely inflated prices for potential CD-clock construction projects.
At least part of the industry is doing something halfway correct… They’re lowering their prices! Hard to believe, but maybe someone in the industry grew themselves a brain. Or maybe they needed to get cheap music after emptying out all their ill-gotten Kazaa music .
A first blah
So I keep thinking, exactly how am I going to start a first entry…
I mean, look, half the blogs I've peeked at start off "this is a site where I'll basically ramble on and on and maybe you'll be interested in something I have to say – or not, I don't care" – Which is more or less what I was going to say. So that's out.
Others start off something like "I'm writing this so all my family and friends know my daily whereabouts and my thoughts on all sorts of crap and I'm strapping a GPS device to my inner thigh which will send my global co-ordinates here on a continuous basis." Those in my family know this is highly unlikely. (I am not the great communicator.)
Then there's the more "significant" blogs, like Salam Pax's well-known site. Now I can't compete with that for world significance. (Not that I would desire to be in his position.) Actually, its interesting the very earliest entries I can find are comments alluding to the buildup to war in Iraq and some comments about getting the male strippers ready (!). Seriously, how can I compete with stuff like "Woke up this morning. We are being invaded. Seriously! With guns and bombs!"
Or even like on Howard Dean's weblog, "we raised thousands of dollars today, how 'bout you?"
What can I say? "Tried to print a new set of microarrays today. They look like crap. Why do I have to keep using this old array printer which doesn't even have any instructions on how to use it – or more importantly –FIX IT?!? Also, ran a few PCR reactions, but all the DNA looked degraded. Sigh. Maybe I should adjust the Magnesium concentration? Hmm… When's lunch?" Actually, that's rather revealing to those in the know.
What I could talk about is a little of my new found interest in running away to various places for a quick getaway. I used to never travel at all. Now at least I've explored a few places in the past year or two. Not counting visits to New York City (my hometown), I have at least been to (in order of increasing excitement for me) Madison, WI (for a conference and massive quantities of beer), Santa Fe, NM (for a conference and my first time ever skiing), Providence, RI (for a change of pace to the nightlife in Boston, strong drinks), Provincetown, MA (for sun and shows and drinking) Washington, DC (family and fun and drinking), Montréal, QC, Canada (for fun and a refreshing attitude toward life, and drinking measured drinks which is fine by me cuz I can drink over a longer period of time), and New Orleans, LA (you can drink there too).
But, really, with the exception of any conferences so much of my traveling ends up with "evening…ate dinner…got drunk…did other stuff I either can not remember or will not recount on a family site…woke up…took ibuprofen…woke up again feeling a bit better…swear that today I'll just see the sights and won't drink…drank."
Well, the two cities that I must talk about, so far, are New Orleans (because it just blew my mind in being so over the top) and Montréal (because I fell in love with the city and its people – in a naïve way, I realize. I've gone for weekends there around 7 or 8 times in the past two years.) – We'll see how much I talk about them in the future.
Oh there's also world events and politics. But who cares what I think about them?
I mean, look, half the blogs I've peeked at start off "this is a site where I'll basically ramble on and on and maybe you'll be interested in something I have to say – or not, I don't care" – Which is more or less what I was going to say. So that's out.
Others start off something like "I'm writing this so all my family and friends know my daily whereabouts and my thoughts on all sorts of crap and I'm strapping a GPS device to my inner thigh which will send my global co-ordinates here on a continuous basis." Those in my family know this is highly unlikely. (I am not the great communicator.)
Then there's the more "significant" blogs, like Salam Pax's well-known site. Now I can't compete with that for world significance. (Not that I would desire to be in his position.) Actually, its interesting the very earliest entries I can find are comments alluding to the buildup to war in Iraq and some comments about getting the male strippers ready (!). Seriously, how can I compete with stuff like "Woke up this morning. We are being invaded. Seriously! With guns and bombs!"
Or even like on Howard Dean's weblog, "we raised thousands of dollars today, how 'bout you?"
What can I say? "Tried to print a new set of microarrays today. They look like crap. Why do I have to keep using this old array printer which doesn't even have any instructions on how to use it – or more importantly –FIX IT?!? Also, ran a few PCR reactions, but all the DNA looked degraded. Sigh. Maybe I should adjust the Magnesium concentration? Hmm… When's lunch?" Actually, that's rather revealing to those in the know.
What I could talk about is a little of my new found interest in running away to various places for a quick getaway. I used to never travel at all. Now at least I've explored a few places in the past year or two. Not counting visits to New York City (my hometown), I have at least been to (in order of increasing excitement for me) Madison, WI (for a conference and massive quantities of beer), Santa Fe, NM (for a conference and my first time ever skiing), Providence, RI (for a change of pace to the nightlife in Boston, strong drinks), Provincetown, MA (for sun and shows and drinking) Washington, DC (family and fun and drinking), Montréal, QC, Canada (for fun and a refreshing attitude toward life, and drinking measured drinks which is fine by me cuz I can drink over a longer period of time), and New Orleans, LA (you can drink there too).
But, really, with the exception of any conferences so much of my traveling ends up with "evening…ate dinner…got drunk…did other stuff I either can not remember or will not recount on a family site…woke up…took ibuprofen…woke up again feeling a bit better…swear that today I'll just see the sights and won't drink…drank."
Well, the two cities that I must talk about, so far, are New Orleans (because it just blew my mind in being so over the top) and Montréal (because I fell in love with the city and its people – in a naïve way, I realize. I've gone for weekends there around 7 or 8 times in the past two years.) – We'll see how much I talk about them in the future.
Oh there's also world events and politics. But who cares what I think about them?
Thursday, September 04, 2003
A test
Qui suis-je?
I guess I'll have to see how these blogs are structured.
Do people really care what someone like me has to say?
I guess I'll have to see how these blogs are structured.
Do people really care what someone like me has to say?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)